The European Commission has adopted a new consumer strategy, which will be implemented over the next five years, writes Clare O'Dea.

The three objectives of the new strategy are a high level of consumer protection, effective enforcement of consumer protection rules and the involvement of consumer organisations in European Union policies.

These objectives are designed to help in achieving integration of consumer concerns into all other EU policies to maximise the benefits of the internal market for consumers and to prepare for enlargement, a European Commission statement said.

Consumer policy in this strategy covers safety, economic and legal issues, consumer information and education and the promotion of the role of consumer organisations.

"European consumer policy is at an important and significant point in time," Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Mr David Byrne said. "In an enlarged European Union of 470 million citizens, all consumers should benefit from the same high level of protection."

Mr Byrne said consumers should reap tangible benefits from the internal market and the euro in the future.

"My objective is to enable consumers as well as businesses and particularly small and medium sized enterprises to carry out transactions with no need to give any thought to real or virtual borders between buyer and seller."

The new policy strategy will be reviewed regularly. Priority actions under the second enforcement objective are the development of an administrative co-operation framework between member states and of redress mechanisms for consumers.

For the Commissions' full text see http//europaeuint/comm/ consumers